Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze opinions about the action plan for implementation of clinical performance exam as part of the national nursing licensing examination and presents the expected effects of the performance exam and aspects to consider regarding its implementation.MethodsThis study used a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected by a questionnaire survey, while qualitative data were collected by focus group interviews with experts. The survey targeted 200 nursing professors and clinical nurses with more than 5 years of work experience, and the focus group interviews were conducted with 28 of professors, clinical instructors, and nurses at hospitals.ResultsFirst, nursing professors and clinical specialists agreed that the current written tests have limitations in evaluating examinees’ ability, and that the introduction of a clinical performance exam will yield positive results. Clinical performance exam is necessary to evaluate and improve nurses’ work ability, which means that the implementation of a performance exam is advisable if its credibility and validity can be verified. Second, most respondents chose direct performance exams using simulators or standardized patients as the most suitable format of the test.ConclusionIn conclusion, the current national nursing licensing exam is somewhat limited in its ability to identify competent nurses. Thus, the time has come for us to seriously consider the introduction of a performance exam. The prerequisites for successfully implementing clinical performance exam as part of the national nursing licensing exam are a professional training process and forming a consortium to standardize practical training.
Highlights
The Korean government has increased the number of nursing educational institutions and their recruitment quota since 2010 as a means to alleviate the shortage of nursing personnel in small regional hospitals; this has resulted in a dramatic increase of nursing students, which puts the practicum courses of many schools in a questionable state, since many hospitals are not available for student practice [1]
Validity of the nursing skills to be included in the clinical performance examination: The nursing skills to be included in the performance exam were evaluated on a 4-point Likert scale, and the item that scored the highest validity was measuring vital signs, followed by indwelling catheter insertion, endotracheal suction, intramuscular injections, nasal cannula oxygen therapy, catheterization, subcutaneous injections, enteral nutrition via nasoenteric tubes, oxygen saturation measurements and electro cardiogram monitoring, basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator use, and intravenous therapy (Table 2)
Action plans for the clinical performance exam: Of the respondents, 71.3% chose a hands-on performance exam on simulators or standar dized patients as the most suitable format for the performance exam, and for proper type of the test, common choices were an objective structured clinical examination (27.8%), a scenario-based nursing performance examination (37.4%), and a clinical performance exami nation using standardized patients (32.3%)
Summary
The Korean government has increased the number of nursing educational institutions and their recruitment quota since 2010 as a means to alleviate the shortage of nursing personnel in small regional hospitals; this has resulted in a dramatic increase of nursing students, which puts the practicum courses of many schools in a questionable state, since many hospitals are not available for student practice [1]. 2017, Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute. In-depth discussions and a general consensus on the necessity of a performance exam, as well as viable methods of introducing it, must precede its implementation. For this reason, this study will explore the necessity and viability of introducing a performance exam through an investigation and analysis of the opinions of nursing education experts and field experts.
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